Question

read the excerpt from a supporting opinion of the supreme courts ruling in plessy v. ferguson.

if the civil and political rights of both races be equal, one cannot be inferior to the other civilly or politically. if one race be inferior to the other socially, the constitution of the united states cannot put them upon the same plane.

how does this relate to the premises of brown v. board of education?

the brown case questions whether separate schools based on race inherently render one inferior to the other.
the brown case questions whether educators treat students differently based on their race.
the brown case addresses whether separate entrances and water fountains suggest that one race is inferior to another.
the brown case addresses whether separate schools hinder the political and intellectual potential of certain citizens.

Explanation:

The Plessy v. Ferguson excerpt argues that social inferiority is not addressed by the Constitution, upholding "separate but equal." Brown v. Board of Education challenged this by focusing on whether racial segregation in schools inherently creates a sense of inferiority, directly contradicting the core premise of Plessy that separate facilities could be equal. The other options either focus on narrower segregation examples, educator treatment, or political potential, which are not the central premise of Brown's challenge to Plessy.

Answer:

The Brown case questions whether separate schools based on race inherently render one inferior to the other.